BC 2003 03 31 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

March 31, 2003 Page 86 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session with the Midland Town Council at the Midland Medical Park Community Room, 12925 US Highway 601 South, Midland, North Carolina on Monday, March 31, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. Present - Chairman: Robert M. Freeman . Vice Chairman: Richard D. Suggs Commissioners: Carolyn B. Carpenter Robert W. Carruth Coy C. Privette Also present were Mr. John D. Day, Interim County Manager; Mr. Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr., County Attorney; and Mrs. Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. Chairman Freeman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members of the Midland Town Council were present for the meeting: Mayor L. W. '~Bunk" Whitley, Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Tucker, and Council Members Fred Buchta, Allen Burnett and John Crump. Also present was Nancy Boyden, Town Clerk. Mr. Brian Hiatt, Concord City Manager, gave a presentation on the short- and long-term strategies for areas served with City of Concord water. He reviewed water supply issues and the steps the City has taken in recent years to deal with the drought situation, including the following: (1) Putting water restrictions in place; (2) Stopping waterline extensions for new growth; (3) Constructing a waterline that allows the City to secure five million gallons of water per day from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County water supply while water restrictions are in place; and (4) Applying for an Interbasin Transfer (IBT) that will allow the City to use the new Charlotte connection on a permanent basis as well as secure water from the Yadkin River by purchasing water from the City of Albemarle. Further, Mr. Hiatt reported that the City has recently relaxed a portion of its water restrictions to allow some irrigation and City Council has adopted a water allocation plan that will allow limited development. He explained that a maximum of one million gallons of water per day may be allotted annually to industrial, commercial and residential customers for new development. Mr. Hiatt pointed out that projects inside the City would be given first priority as the City has a legal obligation to provide services to its residents when water is available. However, after six months, the City will begin evaluating projects outside the City and will use a point system to rank projects under the water allocation system. Mr. Henry Waldroup, Water Resources Director for the City of Concord, commented on the importance of finding a way to bring more water into Cabarrus County. He pointed out that the County is located between two river basins and there is not enough water to support building another reservoir in Cabarrus County. Mayor Whitley asked when water would come to Midland. Mr. Hiatt stated there is a waterline to Midland, but no extensions may be made to the line at this time. He explained that 2004 would be the first time for additional water to the Midland area under Concord's Water Management Program. However, when the Interbasin Transfer is approved, Mr. Hiatt said there is a possibility of a joint project whereby three million gallons of water per day could be secured from the City of Albemarle. The project estimated at $3 million would extend a waterline from Stanly County along Highway 200 through the Georgeville community and tie onto an existing waterline on Highway 601 that currently provides water to Midland. Mr. Hiatt and Mr. Waldroup responded to a number of questions by members of the Board of Commi~sioner~ and the Midland Town Council. During discussion, the two boards addressed the following items: (1) Concord's water allocation plan; (2) Role of the Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County (WSACC) and its membership, specifically the lack of representation by the Town of Midland; (3) Existing Water and Sewer District of Cabarrus County; and (4) Possibility of obtaining rural grant funds to assist with providing water to Georgeville and the Midland area. Mayor Whitley opened the meeting for comments from the audience. Mr. Gene Smith, resident of the Georgeville area, expressed concern regarding the lack of water in the Georgeville community as well as